People are interested in ages past. Some people are interested more than others in studying the scientific fields of history or archaeology. And there is also a group of people who while being researchers in the mentioned fields or just history enthusiasts go towards a different direction and try to relive history by themselves. These people are called reenactors. This article will introduce the reader to this activity.
When people think of re-enactment the first thing that comes to mind is warfare. It is no surprise considering that it usually catches the eye instantly. Men (and sometimes women) clad in armour and recreating epic battles which can sometimes involve up to a thousand people leave a lasting impression. However, this isn’t the only activity in re-enactment. If one is no soldier or has no desire to participate in a fight there are plenty of opportunities to realise yourself elsewhere. A good example are crafts. A separate world unfolds as delving deep into secrets and processes of making all of kinds of things (from simple everyday utensils to weapons) teaches the practitioner about the skill and time needed to craft such items and at the same shattering many previous misconceptions about people of ages past. There is whole field in food, music, games and dance.
There is no restriction in can be recreated. However, if you join a club one has to keep in mind that some clubs might stick to a particular time period, nation or tribe though others are more loose in this approach. However, one has to base their kit on actual historical sources and not their fantasies or interpretations as it leaves a false impression and it might spread false facts about history and archaeology.
Let’s take a look at the other side. Usually, people participate in re-enactment simply to satisfy their curiosity without much financial gain. This in turns leads to financial requirements for your desired activities. Depending on what you want to re-enact and materials used for your kit the price might vary widely. Some items can be made by simply getting materials beforehand. At the same time others might require a craftsman who specialises in making particular items (like a blacksmith for metal utensils, armour and weapons). Authentic crafting methods and materials add to the overall price as well.
Finally, before joining a club you need to do some research about that organisation beforehand. You need to pay attention to their selected period and region, inner customs and rules. Once you have that in mind you can join a club and participate in its activities.
All in all, re-enactment is great way to discover history for yourself and experience it in many unique ways.
